Wild Secret

of grilled meat and spices filled the air.
The walls at Overboard were painted to look like the deep sea with rolling swells. Sharks and other creatures lurked below. The main bar looked like the stern of a ship that was leaving you behind. Blue lights cascaded across the bar in an attempt to make the place feel like you were underwater. The drinks were reasonable, and the music was good.
"Is he just not going to show up?" I said in reference to Crash.
"He doesn't want to be around me," Faye said. "I get it. This is all over after tonight, anyway. I'm out of your hair, and you guys can go back to being what you are."
Dizzy raised his glass to toast. "I know it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing, but we had some good times. Thanks for being part of the journey."
We all clinked glasses and sipped our drinks.
"You're a really solid bass player," Styxx said. It was rare praise coming from him. "I gotta give you that. From a strictly musician standpoint, I've enjoyed it."
"I have no doubt that you’re going places with Lip Bomb,” JD said.
Faye’s eyes misted. “Aw, you guys! You’re going to make me cry. I'm gonna miss you."
"It's a small island," JD said. "I'm sure we'll see you around."
Faye gave us all hugs. She wiped her misty eyes and lifted her glass. "Enough of this emotional nonsense. Let's get our drink on!”
We clinked glasses again and stayed at Overboard for a few hours. The band drank more than they should. As usual, Faye seemed to hold her liquor better than most.
It was drawing close to show time, so we stumbled back down the avenue to Sonic Temple. The line to get into the venue was around the corner. Sounds of heavy rock filtered out, rumbling the block.
A security guard let us in the back entrance, and we headed to the green room where there was more whiskey, vodka, tequila, and beer. We hung out until Emissaries of Torment finished their set. They were a heavy death metal band with painted faces.
The house crew hustled to move their gear off stage to make way for Wild Fury.
JD huddled the band, and they all clasped hands. "Let's go out there and blow the roof off this place. Just like it was the Garden. Let's make Faye’s last show with the band memorable."
The band cheered, and we hustled out of the green room as the Emissaries of Torment filtered in. They were drenched with sweat, their makeup running. They floated on the high that came from finishing a live performance, smiling and high-fiving each other.
I followed Wild Fury to the side of the stage. They gathered for a moment as the lights dimmed. I climbed the steps to the stage and took to the microphone. A single spotlight illuminated me. I had taken on the role of introducing the band in New York, and it stuck. I’d brought on the band ever since, and I didn’t see that changing anytime soon.
I hesitated for a moment, looking over the crowd. The blinding light squinted my eyes, and it was difficult to make out discernible features of the audience. But the place was packed.
In my best announcer voice, I said, “Please welcome to the stage, the mighty… Wild Fu-u-u-u-u-ry!”
The crowd erupted.
I rushed off the stage as the band ran on. Styxx took his position behind the candy-apple red drum set.
Dizzy and Faye took their place on either side of the stage.
JD pranced to the microphone.
Lights swirled.
The audience roared.
JD didn't even need to ask, but he did anyway. It had become his signature opener. "Are you ready to rock 'n' roll!?”
Piercing screams filled the venue.
Dizzy clicked off the beat, and the band thundered. Waves of sound crashed over the audience like a tsunami. The crowd was filled with stunning vixens wearing miniskirts, fishnet stockings, and high-heeled shoes. Lots of teased hair and heavy makeup.
As I came off stage, Sadie Savage was waiting for me.
"I'm surprised to see you here," I shouted over the music.
She smiled. “Well, you guys did come out for our show. It's the least I could do."
"Can I get you a drink?"
"I thought you'd never ask," she said.
We weaved our way to the bar. Since most of the patrons were enthralled with the show, there wasn't much delay in getting a drink. I'd worked out a deal with the venue that all our drinks were on the house. They had been providing complimentary beverages in the green room, but not out front. As JD's band gained more clout, it gave us more leverage to negotiate.
The bartender poured two glasses of whiskey and slid them across the counter. I handed one to Sadie, and we clinked glasses.
"To rock 'n' roll," she said.
"To rock 'n' roll."
She looked absolutely delicious. She never lost eye contact with me as she wrapped her lips around the glass and took a sip, leaving a cherry stain. She had a diabolical look in her eyes. "I have a confession to make."
"I'm not a priest, but you can tell me your sins."
She chuckled. “We don’t know each other that well yet.”
I waited eagerly for something juicy.

28
“This isn’t my first Wild Fury show,” Sadie said.
"I snuck out to a few shows before, just to keep tabs on the competition."
"Competition?"
"I wanted to see what you guys were all about."
"Was this before or after Faye joined the band?"
"Faye hasn’t joined your band. Just so we’re clear. But I saw the band once before and once when she played."
"And what did you think?"
"I thought you guys were good. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous about how quick the band has risen. Faye is good with these guys. She fits in well. It's a great opportunity for her. And it's already drawing more people to our shows. A lot of people come to see Faye, that chick bass player from Wild Fury. That's how she's getting known."
"And how do you feel about that?"
"I'm over the whole